I threw two daggers killing two of the men who’d stepped into view. I pulled my samurai swords out, then I tugged on my connections with Cayden and my family. I was surprised to find they were already panicked.
A portal opened behind the men. I jeered, “You’re so screwed.” They attacked from the front. I saw as Cayden came charging through the portal with Hendrix and Milana hot on his heels. Our people started to fill the field. I heard pops, signaling my family was here too.
Cayden yelled, “CASSIE!” I smiled as I killed someone else trying to take me. I was about to answer him when shots rang out. Cayden screamed, “NO! CASSIE!” I hit the deck but didn’t manage to dodge all the shots fired.
Then a searing burning pain hit me. I put my hand on my shoulder and stared at a guy holding a gun. I felt the iron and silver hit my system. I gasped, “You shot me?! SERIOUSLY!” Rain whimpered and felt weak. She said, “I can’t shift to help you, Cassie.” I assured her, “It’s going to be ok. You’re doing great.”
A second later a shot came and nailed the guy in the chest. A sniper? How did Cayden or my dad get a sniper here? People were still rushing at me. I used the anger I felt for my wolf, myself, and in my connections. My blood was pounding in my ears, but I knew there was roaring from wolves.
A pop sounded next to me. I locked eyes with Cayden wanting nothing more than to pop to him. I willed it work, but it didn’t. I just wanted Cayden. I felt a hand on my back before a pop took me into my mate’s arms. Someone helped me. I felt hands on us, and we were gone. I finally let myself cry because getting shot hurt. I felt the healing light flowing around me and let myself fade to sleep.
A Ring
Cayden is Twenty Three Years Old
Cayden woke up at dawn. I was going on a mission and needed to get home quickly. Cassie’s tournament was coming up and I’d be there come hell or high water. I quickly showered and got ready to leave. I paused to look at Cassie’s sleeping form in our bed. She looked stunningly beautiful. It took everything in me to keep moving. I could watch her for hours. I kissed her forehead, not wanting to wake her up, and left.
I went to the gym and ran a few laps before lifting some weights. I heard someone laugh, “Why did you bother to shower this morning if you were going to work out? You’re just going to have to shower again.” My friend loved to give me shit.
I turned around greeting, “Good morning, Hendrix.” Hendrix nodded, “I came to warn you to get moving. A certain someone was at the coffee shop saying they just HAD to talk to you before you left.” I groaned, “Why does Cora keep insisting we need to talk? We have nothing to talk about.”
Hendrix laughed, “You don’t, but she’s been wanting you to be on an off period since…” He trailed off then finished, “Well, several years but mostly since yesterday.” I stiffened, “That’s ridiculous. Everyone knows Cass and I don’t have off periods. She has Werewolf blood so that would physically hurt her and I would never do that.”
Hendrix raised an eyebrow, “You know that I know that. Hell, everyone knows that but a certain someone doesn’t care.” I rolled my eyes, “Anyone who thinks I would disrespect or hurt Cassie that way doesn’t know me.” He nodded, “I agree.”
I sighed, “Thanks for the warning. Just tell Cora I only want Cassie.” Hendrix snorted, “I HAVE done that. In fact, everyone has. Sadly, nothing gets through that thick little Cayden obsessed skull of hers.” I glared at him grounding out, “She’s not obsessed with me. She’ll meet her mate, and this will be done.”
Hendrix muttered, “I wouldn’t give that psycho a mate.” I raised an eyebrow questioning, “You think Aesir didn’t give her a mate?” Hendrix said, “I think unlike the goddesses who refuse to admit some of their children are just crazy and would drag their mate down, our god doesn’t do that. I believe that Aesir hopes they will correct themselves before we have to kill them. He could always give them a mate if they steer away from the crazy path.” I could see that logic.
He added, “The facts remain Cora hasn’t found her mate. Those three dudes obsessed with Haley never found their mate. We police our own, but I think Aesir is up there waiting to see if the crazy subsides before giving people mates to drag down and hurt in the complete chaos that they bring. Who wants their child to go through a rejection?” I frowned, “What do you mean?”
He answered, “Cora would reject her mate if she found him. She’d reject them for a man who doesn't even like her. Aesir would never do that to his people.” I frowned, “You can’t really think that. You know what the mate bond is and how strong it is.”
Hendrix nodded, “I truly hope I’m not right, but I think I am. Cora is crazy. I know you don’t believe it, but she is. Even Jed has started to see it. He’s tried to get her help, you know? She’s in therapy now. Ever since she disappeared for a few weeks, which is WEIRD. Yet we don’t talk about that.”
I frowned, “Why would we? It was nice.” He groaned, “It’s weird. I see Jed and Cora arguing all the time. Now, she avoids him if she can. My sources say they argue about you and Cassie. Jed tells her to give up before she dies. See, I have to wonder what the actual fuck that means. Because as far as I know, she’s not really done anything to deserve death. Are you keeping things from me? Or is Cassie?”
I was astonished, “Cass…” I trailed off because I was about to say that Cassie would tell me about something like that. I knew that wasn’t true though. Cassie wanted to do things on her own. It had to be bad though for Jed to say his sister was inching towards dying.
I shook my head because I knew she would tell me something that serious. I said, “If there are little things sure, but big things we didn’t miss that much. Especially something that could lead to Cora’s death. Cass would tell me.”
Hendrix raised an eyebrow, “Cayden, when Cassie used to mention Cora to you, you’d brush it off and say that you two dated a long time ago. That it was the past. Your fiery redhead has a plan, and I need you to see that. At this exact moment you need to get moving before said fiery redhead kills Cora on this gym floor for bringing you coffee.”
I muttered, “I stopped drinking coffee after high school.” Hendrix said, “See, I know that, and you know that. Hell, everyone knows that. Cass would never bring you coffee. Your stalker refuses to let go of it since it was ‘your thing.’ She’s buying you a coffee and bringing it here. Get a move on.”
I took off for the showers then paused. She’d catch me if I showered here, and I had zero desire to talk to her. I grabbed my bag from my office and texted Micah.
Me:Meet me at my parents’ house instead of the training facility.
Micah:This is going to be a good story.
Me:Not really.
Micah:Mmmhmmm.
I jogged over there and opened the window to my old room. I quickly showered, grabbed my bag, and was about to climb back out when my dad cleared his throat. I knew he’d been getting closer in the bond, but I didn’t think he’d want to talk to me. His feelings told me he had something important to say.
I turned saying, “Good morning, dad.” My dad warned, “If you fought with my beautiful daughter in law and now have to shower here, I’ll kick your ass. It can’t be that your water isn’t working, she could just snap your water back on.”
